QUIZ ON WEDNESDAY!!!

"Doing" the homework is often not enough for student's to comprehend and retain content. They must also study. Many students will just skim the text in order to get the work done. But this causes problems because they do not get the context of the term or idea. Please look at HOW you are doing your homework. Doing the assignment is often not enough to truly grasp the content.

Try this: First make sure all distractions are removed from the study area. No ipods, t.v.s, phone, etc. If there is something more interesting than the history text around, you will want to pay attention to that!! You will be surprised; cleaning your room may suddenly become very interesting when it comes time for homework. You may need to make it a rule that you do your homework in a certain area, like at the kitchen table.
A suggestion for how to do your history notes:

Step 1: Read over the note taking guide. Preview the objectives, key terms and ideas that we expect you to know.
Step 2: Read the section once through without taking any notes. Pay attention to all of the headings, pictures, captions, maps, etc. Really read it!! Do not just skim!
Step 3: Re-read the note taking guide for that section. Then read the section in the book again, this time taking notes. Yes, reread it!! Do not just skim!
Step 4: Review the notes. Then write the summary for the notes, answering the objective in the summary.
Step 5: Have a parent or other adult look at the note taking guide and quiz you on the terms. You should be able to explain them without looking at the notes. Use the note taking guide as a check list. If you can explain it, check it off. If not, then you need to go back and review that item. Keep going until you can explain everything on the sheet. Kind of like the old spelling list practice.

Hope this helps!!!! Remember the more times you have contact with information, the more likely it will stick in your head!!!!

Grades have been updated!!!

Thanks to all the parents who came out last night! Don't forget to subscribe to this blog so you can get e-mail updates.

Animated Map

Hello everyone!! If you want to look at the map that we viewed today in class, the link is at the top in the directions. Or you can click here!! http://www.animatedatlas.com/movie2.html

Scholastic Book Orders

Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: HBR9W

Dear Parent,

Now it's easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child -- shop our NEW online Book Clubs Web site. Choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.

Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.*

It's so simple! Here's how it works:

• SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. On the parent page, click the "Register" button in the "First Time Here?" section. Register for your own user name and password. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
  
  
• SELECT the books you'd like to order -- choose from thousands of titles -- many more than in our monthly flyers.
  
  
• SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child's books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.

Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not see for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

If you are sending the order in to me, our first one is due by September 16. Thanks!!!

REMINDER!!!

Wear comofortable clothes for our Boot Camp on Wednesday and Thursday!!!

Welcome!!!

Hello! I know that some of you picked up your schedules today and might be going online to check out your new teachers!!!! Well, here I am!! Some of you may have noticed you have me for two classes. Yes, I teach both history and English. This year I will have four periods of U.S. history and one of American Literature.

Please subscribe to this blog and you will get e-mail updates whenever I post something new!! That includes grades or other information.

All students: If you are out and about doing your school shopping, you might want to pick up a few things for my class. You will need a lot of lined paper, a good binder to keep track of all of your materials, pens, pencils, highlighters and some colored pencils will be helpful too!

History kids: You will also need a 1 subject spiral notebook that you will leave in my classroom.

English kids: You will need to start thinking about a book that you would like to read for Independent Reading.

I look forward to meeting all of you!!!!!

Grades are posted.

I have posted the semester grades. The Overall grade is your grade in the class. The other grade is your final exam grade. I have posted project grades on my outside window of my classroom, in case you did not see your grades for that.

Have a great summer!!!!